Fresh Spree Of Terror In Pakistan: A Global Threat Meriting International Cooperation – OpEd

In a devastating and violent incident, a roadside bomb exploded near a convoy of foreign diplomats travelling through Pakistan’s scenic Swat Valley. Resultantly, what should have been a symbol of Pakistan’s expanding diplomatic connections, transpired into a tragic reminder of the menace of terrorism.

This terror attack was a premeditated move by forces averse to Pakistan’s prosperity and improved diplomatic clout. It highlights the fact that terrorism remains a powerful tool in the hands of those, who are seeking to undermine Pakistan’s attempts to rebrand its image and build on improved foreign ties.

This tragedy further underscores the severity of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism task. The country has been fighting a long and tough war, with enormous sacrifices made by its security forces as well as citizens. However, Pakistan’s determination remains unwavering, as manifested by the newly started Operation Azm-e-Istehkam (AeI), a comprehensive vision, aimed at converting the country from a “soft” state, vulnerable to internal and external challenges, to a “hard” state, which is strong and resilient.

Operation Azm-e-Istehkam: New Phase in Fight Against Terror

The revival of terrorist activities near Pakistan’s western border is no surprise. The current increase in violence is a negative response to the success of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. This operation, which has been launched to eliminate terrorist groups and the whole ecosystem that supports them, is wreaking havoc on the financial and logistical networks that fuel extremism and organised crime.

AeI targets not just the terrorist networks, but also illegal money flows, drug mafias, smugglers, and hoarders, all of which contribute to instability in Pakistan. Valiant acts under AeI have harmed the interests of hostile forces inside and beyond Pakistan. The increase in assaults is a response from those hostile groups, who are anxious to preserve their presence, as Pakistan is determined to dismantle their networks. AeI is a comprehensive plan that tries to cut off terrorists’ money conduits, impair their logistical support, and disrupt the unlawful networks, which threaten Pakistan’s economy. Money laundering and drug trafficking are two examples of unlawful activities on which terrorism thrives.

Terror Actions To Sabotage Diplomatic Progress

Pakistan’s fight against terror is taking place in the context of considerable improvements in its diplomatic ties with the international world. Recent months have witnessed an increase in high-profile diplomatic engagements, indicating Pakistan’s rising prominence on the world stage. A few weeks ago, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister visited Islamabad, ushering in a new chapter in Pakistan-Russia ties. This was followed by the news of a high-level Pakistani corporate group travelling to Russia, with other visits from Russian authorities, including the Prime Minister, on the horizon. These sessions are especially crucial since they overlap with the approaching Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where Pakistan is playing an increasingly important role.

This diplomatic momentum is precisely what hostile groups aim to impede. The recent terror attack on a convoy of foreign diplomats in Swat is part of a larger, more devious plan to undermine Pakistan’s relations with its allies. Such attacks are intended to instil fear, spread suspicion, and stymie Pakistan’s efforts towards regaining its regional status. The targeting of foreign diplomats sends a clear message: those who want to see Pakistan thrive and integrate deeper into the international community are considered adversaries by the very elements that fuel terrorism in Pakistan and across the region.

Need for a Collective Response to Terrorism

The path to eradicating terrorism is long and difficult, and while Pakistan is doing everything in its capacity, the fight cannot be won alone. Terrorism is a global concern, not just a localised phenomenon. Pakistan has constantly been on the front lines of this war against terror, paying dearly price in terms of massive human and economic casualties. However, radical elements do not just target Pakistan. They target humanity and progress.

Earlier this year, Russia, a staunch partner in the fight against terror, saw one of the most catastrophic terror strikes in recent memory. On March 22, 2024, Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP) militants killed roughly 137 people in Moscow, demonstrating that no country is immune to the menace of terrorism. Russia, like Pakistan, recognises the severity of the issue. Both nations have been the victims of terrorism, and equally motivated to eradicate this evil. Together, the two countries may exchange intelligence, coordinate counterterrorism initiatives, and deny terrorist groups the space and resources they require to operate.

The Importance of Judicial and Political Reform

While actions such as Azm-e-Istehkam remain to be critical, these are still insufficient to fix the situation completely. To uproot terrorism from Pakistan, the entire system which permits extremism to exist and terror to thrive needs to be dismantled.

Corruption, poor law enforcement, and inefficiencies in the criminal justice procedures help the terrorists and criminals to escape prosecution besides emboldening them. This necessitates judicial reforms, political will, and revamping of the criminal justice system to ensure that terrorists and their facilitators are not only apprehended but also tried and punished, promptly and efficiently. Political unity is another critical component of this effort. For far too long, radicals have used political differences in Pakistan to advance their objectives. A united front is, therefore, needed to combat terrorism and ensure the country’s long-term peace and security.

Undermining the Financial Support for Terrorism

Another critical battlefield is the finance networks that allow terrorists to operate. Terrorist groups rely significantly on illicit financial flows, such as drug trafficking, smuggling, and cross-border money transfers. Cutting off such financial lifelines remains critical for limiting the resources that extremist groups use to recruit, arm, and operate.

Pakistan’s efforts under AeI to combat smuggling and money laundering are targeted at eroding terrorist networks’ financial stability. However, these endeavours require sustained international backing. Counterterrorism efforts rely heavily on international collaboration to trace and freeze terrorist assets, halt the flow of illegal cash, and prosecute people and groups implicated in terror funding.

Conclusion

Terrorism is more than simply a concern in Pakistan; it threatens world peace and security. Pakistan’s struggle against this threat, represented by Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, is a war for regional stability. However, Pakistan cannot win this struggle alone. The international world must rally behind Pakistan, providing moral and material support for its counterterrorism operations.

The latest terrorist attack on foreign diplomats in Swat serves as a clear warning that those, who oppose peace and prosperity, would stop at nothing to stymie Pakistan’s progress. Nonetheless, Pakistan’s resolve remains unshaken. Terrorism can and will be fought via international unity, a robust legal and political framework, and ongoing diplomatic engagement with friendly countries such as Russia.